Events
Book Week
Grandparents Day will be 26 June and on the same day is the ‘Dress Up as your Favourite Character Day’.
Student-Led Conferences
Children will finish school at 12pm on this day (they will only need morning tea). At 12pm all children will go home and return with with their parents/guardians at their assigned conference time. Please be on time as the schedule is very tight.
Book Week - Dress Up and Grandparents Day
Scholastic Book Fair is Coming to St Heliers School
In Week 9 of this term [23-27 June] we are having a book week. Various activities will be happening all week around the school.
Scholastics will be here with a large selection of books for sale, the book fair is like having an exciting bookstore come into school! Hosting a book fair is a way to bring students, teachers, families and communities together to celebrate reading and raise funds for the school. A percentage of all sales comes directly back to the school enabling the purchase of more books for the library and resource room. All children will get the opportunity to visit the book fair with their classes and make a wish list of books that they like.
Books will be available for sale in the dance and drama room on Mon 23-Fri 27 June between 8:30am -9:15am, Mon 23, Tues 24, Thursday 26 between 2:30pm - 3:15pm and Wednesday 25 June between 12pm-8:00pm, during the student-led conferences.
Also on Thursday we will be hosting a special day for our Grandparents where the bookshop will be open all morning until 11.10am and Grandparents are invited to watch our Book Character dress up parade at 9am, spend some time in their grandchildren's classrooms and enjoy a light refreshment.
A flyer with these details will come home with all students towards the end of this term.
The book fair will only be a success with the support of the school community. Volunteers will be needed to help run the book sales and Grandparents morning tea. Please see the email sent out earlier this week requesting for helpers!
For more details please check out the posters that will be up around the school towards the end of the term and look out for the leaflets that will be sent home with your child.
Jenny Howie
Librarian
St Heliers School
Have You Ever Considered Being on the St Heliers School Board?
Have You Ever Considered Being on the St Heliers School Board?
Come Along to an Information Evening – Thursday 26 June
In Term 3 this year, we will be holding our triennial elections for five parent representatives to join the St Heliers School Board for a three-year term.
The School Board is responsible for the governance of the school, and is accountable for:
Ensuring every learner reaches their highest possible standard of achievement, and monitoring student learning outcomes
Setting the school’s strategic direction in consultation with parents, whānau, staff, students, and the wider community
Ensuring the school complies with legal and policy requirements
Overseeing the areas of personnel, property, and finance
Guided by the Education and Training Act 2020, the Board works to support achievement for all students—including those with differing needs. We ensure the school is a safe and inclusive environment while giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Please note that the Board is not involved in the day-to-day management of the school. We are fortunate to have an exceptional Senior Leadership Team who do a fantastic job managing all operational aspects.
Our community needs a strong, committed Board to support our amazing school!
If you are curious or interested in standing for election, we warmly invite you to attend our information evening.
📅 Thursday 26 June
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 School Staffroom
We look forward to seeing you there!
Excellence Assembly
Parents are invited to our Whole School Excellence Assembly on Friday 27 June at 2pm.
Excellence Awards recognise those children who have attained a standard of academic, sporting or cultural excellence in some aspect of their schooling.
Only one child is awarded an excellence award in each class per term.
School Running Club Cross-Country Training
The St Heliers School Cross Country Running Event will be held on Tuesday 29th July for all Year 4 - 8 students.
Our school Running Club Coach and Board Chair, Kathy Harding always hosts training sessions outside of the normal Friday Running Club, in the lead-up to this event. This coaching will begin in the holidays!
The sessions will be held on the actual event course at Churchill Park, so that the children can familiarise themselves with the race setting. There will be lots of handy tips and tricks to make the most of race day, regardless of whether your child is super fast, or just planning on a happy jog in the fresh air. Both are amazing, and everyone is welcome to come down for a bit of training fun. Yes parents... you too!
Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the start time. Bring water, expect mud, and note that there will not be any bathrooms available.
We meet at the carpark at the end of Kinsale Avenue.
Friday 4th July 8 am
Friday 11th July 8 am
Sunday 20th July 3 pm
Sunday 27th July 3 pm
Any questions, please contact Kathy
027 2818 007
Our Kids Online Parents Evening
Our Kids Online
St Heliers School Parents Evening – A Must-Attend Event for Every Parent
St Heliers School warmly invites all parents and caregivers to a special Parents Evening on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the school hall. This exciting event offers an engaging and enlightening opportunity to explore one of the most important issues facing families today: how to navigate and understand our children’s digital lives.
We are proud to present "The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Our Kids’ Online World – and How to Keep Them Safe." This is a $5 ticketed event, which will go some way towards covering the cost of hosting this event for our community.
We are thrilled to be hosting Rob Cope – acclaimed filmmaker, author, and outspoken advocate for digital safety. Rob is known for his hilarious, straight-talking, no-nonsense approach to tackling serious parenting issues. His candid style and parent-to-parent honesty make his talks not only incredibly informative but genuinely entertaining.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, children are exposed to more than ever before – often long before they’re ready. Rob’s talk will help parents understand what our children are really facing online and provide clear, practical strategies for how to keep them safe and resilient. Topics include:
· Cyberbullying – recognising it and responding effectively
· Social Media – what platforms are popular, and how they affect kids' mental health
· Gaming – screen time, addiction, and balancing healthy play
· Online Predators – the tactics they use and how to safeguard against them
· Online Porn – why early exposure matters and how to talk about it
· Smartphones – setting realistic limits and managing use
· Filters and Parental Controls – what tools are worth using
· Boundaries – creating firm, loving rules that kids will respect
This event is not about preaching – it’s about real-life parenting in the digital age. Rob speaks as a fellow parent, not an expert on a pedestal. His honest and often laugh-out-loud stories create a safe space for parents to reflect, ask questions, and leave feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Tickets are $5 per person, via payment options below, or payable at the door on the night (cash only). Please arrive early to ensure seating, as we expect a full hall. Complimentary light refreshments will be available, and our leadership team and members of staff will be on hand throughout the evening.
Whether your child is in Year 1 or Year 8, this evening is relevant for every parent. Don’t miss this chance to learn, laugh, and leave with the tools to protect and support your child in their online world.
Mark your calendar: Wednesday, 16 July – 6:30pm–8:30pm – School Hall.
Year 5 and 6 Bay Suburbs Netball
We have a number of teams competing against other schools at the Year 5 and 6 Bay Suburbs Netball Tournament on Tuesday 24 June at the Auckland Netball Centre.
Matariki Day at SHS
Posted on 7 June 2025
Following our earlier email we are pleased to confirm details for our special Matariki Celebration on Thursday 19th June at 7:00a.m.
Our celebration will begin at 7.15 with an opening ceremony and feature the Boys Music Group and waiata.
To ensure everyone's safety, all children must be accompanied by a supervising adult. A light breakfast of a muffin and drink will be provided after the ceremony.
If your child is unable to attend with an adult they should arrive at the normal time.
Student Leaders, House leaders and the Boys Music Group are expected to attend and will meet with teachers beforehand to mark off attendance for safety.
Children can dress for a Be Yourself Day on the day. School uniform is not required
Your child will bring home an attendance slip in a couple of weeks. Please keep an eye out for it, and complete and return it to their teacher as soon as possible indicating:
Whether your child will attend the celebration with an adult, and
Muffin choice for breakfast for all children and whanau attending
Thank you for your support - we look forward to celebrating this occasion together.
Posted Term 2 Week 1:
The rise of Matariki in the winter skies above Aotearoa is an important time in the Māori calendar, as it signifies the start of the Māori New Year.
For Māori, astronomy was interwoven into all facets of life. Experts would observe the night sky, charting star and planet movements, the relationship of the stars and planets to the moon and sun, while also noting what was happening on the whenua (land) and in the moana (ocean), lakes and awa (rivers). All these celestial star beings were attributed qualities and named accordingly, and their stories were woven into the history of the people.
Historically, new year celebrations provided the opportunity for whānau to come together to acknowledge the year gone by, prepare and plan for the year ahead; to celebrate with kai, kōrero, ceremony and entertainment.
On Thursday 19 June we will be holding a special event at St Heliers School to celebrate Matariki. Families will be invited to gather on the school turf at 7am before the sun rises at 7.33am. We will be celebrating with a special ceremony with waiata and story telling under the night sky. Afterwards we will be providing a breakfast. Children may also choose to arrive to school at the normal time. The day will be filled with activities for the children around the theme of Matariki which connects with our school vision-’Navigating Success Together’ - ‘Kia mahi tahi ai te waihoe’.
Due to the early start school will finish at 2pm on 19 June.
The following day, Friday 20 June is a public holiday to mark Matariki, and the start of the long weekend.
Eastern Zone Hockey (Y7/8)
Year 7 and 8 students compete at the Eastern Zone Hockey tournament at Auckland Hockey. Lady Marie Drive, Pakuranga Heights on Tuesday 17 June.
Kiwi Competitions - Maths
Year 5 - 8 students sit the test for Kiwi Competitions -Maths. Year 7 and 8 students start at 9.30 am and Year 5 and 6 students start at 11.30 am in Room 29. There may be English catch-ups and Science Pretests on this day.
Citizenship Assembly
Parents are invited to our Whole School Citizenship Assembly on Friday 13 June at 2pm.
Citizenship Awards recognise those children who consistently uphold our school values and consistently display citizenship qualities.
Citizenship Qualities:
Friendly and helpful towards other people
Generous with your time and talents for the good of others without thought of personal reward
Sympathetic towards those in distress, the weak and the needy
Only one child is awarded an excellence award in each class per term.
Winter Festival Water Polo Tournament (Y4-8)
This is an all day water polo tournament for those students in Years 4-8 in the water polo teams Blue and Maroon.
Relationships and Sexuality Education Parent Evening
You may be interested in how relationships and sexuality education is taught in schools in Aotearoa New Zealand, how you can support your child’s learning, and how you can have your say.
Come along to the parent information evening on Wednesday 11 June at 5 pm in the school staffroom.
Year 5 and 6 Bay Suburbs Rugby
Year 5 and 6 Rugby and Rippa Rugby at Colin Maiden Park.
Kiwi Competitions - English
Year 5 - 8 students sit the test for Kiwi Competitions -English. Year 7 and 8 students start at 9.30 am and Year 5 and 6 students start at 11.30am in Room 29.
Senior Merit Assembly (Y4-8)
Parents are welcome to our first merit assembly of the year on Friday 6 June at 2 pm.
Spanish and Portuguese Speakers Family Evening
Please let the office know how many from your family will be coming.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Eastern Zone Girls Football
Year 7 and 8 girls compete in the Eastern Zone Football Tournament at Ellerslie AFC - Michaels Avenue Reserve.
Year 5 and 6 Bay Suburbs Football
Several teams of Year 6 and 6 students will compete against other schools at the Bay Suburbs Football Tournament at Glover Park.
Junior Merit Assembly (Y0-3)
Parents are welcome at this assembly on Friday 16 May at 2.15 pm.
Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day on Friday 16 May is the day that all of New Zealand makes a stand against bullying. People will mark this day in workplaces, businesses, schools and all other spaces where people gather.
St Heliers School children can wear something pink on Friday 16 May. If they are wearing something pink they don’t have to wear their school uniform. They also should bring a gold coin or pay on Kindo, and the school will donate all the donations to the Mental Health Foundation.
If you order your shirts now, you should get these before 16 May.
You can get these from Cotton On, or you can be more individual and order one from Temu. Be quick though as they sell out fast.
Year 8 Eastern Zone Boys Football
Year 8 boys compete in the Eastern Zone Football Tournament at Ellerslie AFC - Michaels Avenue Reserve.
Year 7 and 8 Parent Information Evening
This information evening is for parents of children in Years 5 and 6. You will get an overview of the intermediate programme at St Heliers School. Hear from the Senior Leadership team and the teachers of Year 7 and 8.
Year 7 Eastern Zone Boys Football
Year 7 boys compete in the Eastern Zone Football Tournament at Ellerslie AFC - Michaels Avenue Reserve.
International Parents Morning Tea
Parents of International students are invited to Semplice Cafe in St Heliers Village for a morning tea with the International Student Manager and the Senior Leadership Tea on Wednesday 19 February from 9 am to 10 am.
Kākahi Visit to Auckland Museum
Year 8 will be visiting the Auckland Museum on Wednesday 7 May as part of their inquiry on Navigation. Year 7 will visit the Auckland Museum on Thursday 8 May. All classes this term will be studying Navigation as part of their inquiry. This will link to both Matariki and our new School Vision ‘Navigating Success Together’.
New Parents Morning Tea
The Senior Leadership Team look forward to seeing all the new parents from the middle of Term 1, and the beginning of Term 2 at the morning tea at 9.00am on Tuesday 6 May. Hear a little more about what’s happening in the school, meet other new families and have some of your questions answered. We look forward to seeing you.
Citizenship Assembly
Parents are invited to our Whole School Citizenship Assembly on Friday 13 June at 2pm.
Citizenship Awards recognise those children who consistently uphold our school values and consistently display citizenship qualities.
Citizenship Qualities:
Friendly and helpful towards other people
Generous with your time and talents for the good of others without thought of personal reward
Sympathetic towards those in distress, the weak and the needy
Only one child is awarded an excellence award in each class per term.
School Holidays
Venture outside and try something new. Stay safe and we will see you all in Term 2.
Harmony Day 2025
On Thursday 10 April the school day will be different. The children will be learning about each other’s cultures through the arts and technology (visual arts, dance, music, drama, hard materials and food technology). The children will take part in three different activities during the day.
Children will be in Tuakana-Teina groups, this means that the groups will have older and younger children in them and families will be together. Each group will consist of approximately 20 children. In these groups the older children have a responsibility to guide and lead the younger ones.
There will be many different activities on the day and teachers will be running many of them and we have invited parents who have something from their culture to share, to come and take an activity.
Parents Wine and Cheese Evening 7pm
On Wednesday 9 April join our Board Chair, Kathy Harding to our Parents Wine and Cheese Evening in the staffroom. A time to meet other parents, laugh, converse and discuss ideas for the school.
Out-of-Zone Enrolment Applications Close Tuesday 8 April
Applications for Out-of-Zone Enrolment at St Heliers School for children turning 5 this year closes on 8 April at 3pm. If a ballot is required it will be on the same day at 3.30pm. Parents will be notified by the end of Term 1, on Friday 11 April